Still



nei

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 29, T921.,

Application led `luly 18, '1917'. Serial No. 181,273.

To all to lzomt may concern lle it known that l, CALvrN D. CRANE, citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Stills, of which the followinfr is a specification.

Ely invention relates to distilling .apparatus and pertains particularly to a construction adapted for use as a water still but which is not limited to such use but is applicable to the distillation of other liquids.

rl`he object of the invention is to improve the structure, aswell as the means and mode ef operation of Such apparatus, whereby. it will not only be cheapened in construction, but will be more efficient in use, positive in operation, automatic in action, easilyA controlled, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such an apparatus a preheating and precipitating chamber in which solids will "be precipitated prior to the introduction of the fluid into the main still, and to further provide means for automatically controlling the fluid supply from such prehe'ating and settling chamber into the still proper.

fr further object of the invention is .to provide an improved .form of condensing and collecting means within the still, together with improved form of battles for effectively guiding the condensing water in its relation with the condensingsurfaces, and to provide improved means foremptying the condensing water chamber.

i further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of cutoff or regulating device for the water supply conduit to the initial or settling chamber and for gag ingthe water supply in the still boiler, together with means' for limiting the con'- densation process to prescribed condensing surfaces.

'With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more. fully appear inthe specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter' described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional view of the assembled distilling apparatus forming the subject matter hereof. TEig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the water sealed joint between the still entrance into the still proper.

boiler and the condensingapparatus. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view ofa portion of the fire wall of the boiler'. Fig. d is a top plan view of the condensing` water compartment, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the generator compartment.

VLike parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

rlhe apparatus forming the subject matter hereof comprises two units, a preheating or settling chamber, and a still apparatus proper interconnected one with the other in such manner that the initial water supply is passed through the condensing` water chamber of the still serving thereby to condense the distillates upon the condensing surfaces and at the same time absorb an initial degree of heat. rlhe water supply passes from the condensation water chamber, thence through the preheating chamber in whichit is heated to approximately boiling point, thereby precipitating the solids and mineral matter together with certain foreign matter which may be carried in the water, prior to its From this settling chamber the cleared water supply is conducted to the boiler' of the still in a preheated condition where it is subjected to a higher degree of heat, causing it to vaporize. The vapor thus produced rises in pockets or inverted condensation chambers, around which the initial water supply is circulated, thereby condensing said vapors. The product of condensation is collected in suitable gutters or channels and conveyed to a common outlet point.

Referring in detail to the drawings, l is the prehcating or settling chamber in which the solids are precipitated. rlhis chamber is provided with a removable cover 2 and with an undulating re wall or bottom 3. The bottom 3 of the chamber may be provided with a series of corrugations preferably of considerable height or depth, thereby affording alternating fire and water pockets by whiclrthe heating surface is very materially increased. Such alternating pockets 4 may extend throughout substantially the entire width of the chamber l., terminating at their ends in spaced relation v'with the sides of the chamber l as shown in detail in Fig. 3, or said pockets i may cornprise a plurality of domes or tubular projections projectipg either downward or upward. Such hollow projections may be of any desired height to afford a suitable eztent of heating surface. By terminating the pockets or recesses 4 in spaced relation with the sides of the chamber 1, an intermediate water space 5 is afforded which not only further. increases the heating surface, but also reduces any tendency for the parts to separate under the action of the heat by vpermitting direct water contact. with `the fire wall joint.

Mounted in the cover 2 is the low( r section 6 of the water supply conduit the liiwer end of which extends below the noi-1r. al water level of thechamber 1 whereby it is water l water overflow conduit against the escape of` any steam which may be generated within the settling chamber. To prevent' any siphoning action of the overflow after it has been brought into operation by an abnormal rise of the fluid level within the chamber 1. a small vent 7 is provided in the top of the conduit.l Y

The still proper comprises va lower or boiler portion 9 and an upper or condensation portion 8 detachably connected to the boiler to facilitate convenientI examination of the interior of the boiler and condensation-chamber. To this end the still sections 8 and 9 are connected by a slip joint 10. The upper section 8 is provided with a peripheral bead or flange 1l adapted to rest upon the upper edge of the lower still section 9 below which is a pendant flange 12 projecting within the walls of the section 9. Projecting inward about the upper end of the lower or boiler section 9 is a flange or lip 13 forming with the upper'edge of the wall of the boiler section a` gutter or channel 14 into which the pendant flange 12 of the upper section S projects. This construction isy illustrated in enlargedldetail in Fig. 2. The construction is such that a limited quantity of the products of condensation which may be condensed upon the walls of the still above joint 10 is collected in the channel or gutter V14C thereby submerging the flange 12 and water A sealing the joint 10 to prevent the escape of steam therethrough. Such water sealed joint has been found in practice to be quite desirable and the construction described affords a simple, economical and efficient mode of obtaining :such steam-tight joint. The lower or boiler section `9 of the still is provided with a bottom or fire wall 15 similar to that of the preheating or settling chamber 1. The fire wall .or bottom 15 may be formed with a. succession of continuous channels .or recesses 16 extending from one side to the other of the boiler section 9 but preferably terminating in spaced relation to the boiler walls as shown in Fig. 3, or said recesses 1G may be in the'form of spaced pockets or domes tubular in form as before described'. The purposeof the corrugated or undulating form of the fire wall or bottom is to afford an increased extent of heating surface and this result may be achieved b 'v either method of production. Connecting the initial or settling chamber 1 with 4the lower Section5) of the still is a substantiall)v horizontally disposed conduit 17 located at the normal fluid level of the chamber 1. This conduit 1T projects within the boiler section 9 .of the still and is provided with a head 18 having a discharge opening 19 in the under side' thereof controlled b v a verticallyklilovable puppet valve 20. The valve 2O is carried Aupon a reciprocatory stem 21 mounted in a suitable'guide arm 22 projecting from the head lbJand preferably` although not necessarily, evtending through a'guide 23 in the upper side, ofcsaid head 1S. The stem 21 carries at its lower end a float 24. i

ln order to equalize the movement of the float 2f and the control valve attached thereto and prevent the undue vibration of the valve under the influence of the violent agitation of the water within the' boiler section 9,A there is provided an inclosure 25 preferably of perforated material and provided with a solid bottom which isfixedly secured to the side wall of the boiler section 9 and into which the float 24 projects. lt will be understood that the'iuclosure or pocket 25 extends below the normal fluidv level of the boiler section 9. The level within the inclosurev or pocket 25 will be coincident, with that in the main portion of the boiler section 9, but the movement j of the fluid being interrupted by the perforate wall of the inclosure will not be sub-y jectto thesame violent agitation. The fluid level. of the water within the boiler section .9 is somewhat lower than that of the initial or settling chamber 1. The arrangement and relation of parts is such that the water supply initially heated and clearedof foreign and mineral matter in the` settling chamber 1 will overflow therefrom through the interconnecting conduit 17 and will pass by gravity into the. boiler section 9 of the still in the event that the valve 20 is unseated and the discharge orifice of the head 18 isopen. This condition, however, will only occur when the fluid level of the contents of the boiler 9 is below normal. The discharge of water supply from the initialchamber 1 into the boiler 9 gradually raises the fluid leve-l thereof and simultaneously elevates the float 21 until the valve 20 is seated to close the inlet orifice and so arrest the'water supply. lathe top of the head 18 are provided orifices 26 for lcarrying thereon a series ofy graduations in-` rer/ases the escape of any steam or vapor which may ybe generated in the initial or settling chamber land pass thence into the still through the interconnecting conduit 17. y These steamy orifices or vents 26 are located above the level of the outlet or waste conduit 7 of the initial chamber 1 By this relation ofthe steam vents and the overflow orifice7 no water can pass into the still through the orifices 26 when the valve 2O isclosed3 inasmuch as the surplus water would be discharged through the outlet conduit 7 from the -chamber l before it could overflow the orifices 26. ln order to readily indicate the fluid contents of the boiler section 9 tl is provided a receptacle orwell 27 on ne side of the boiler section 9 which commu-V nicates with the interior 'thereof through an opening 27 below the normal Huid level of the contents of the boiler. Located within the receptacle or well 27 is a float 23 from which projects 'vertically' a stem'29 dicatory of the contents of the boiler. This vertical' stem 29 passes through suitable guides 30 which maintain it in a vertical position one of which may be employed vas an indicator coacting Awith thegraduations upon the stem 29 to indicate the quantity of water in the boiler. The float23 is preferably a closed drum or hollow bodyy with the 4stem 29 secured to the exterior of the -upper end thereof. This mode of-attachment has been found preferable to passing the stem throught-he head of the oat as is sometimes done7 in view of the fact that the. relative expansion and contraction of parts sometimes cause* an enlargement of the openings in the'head and a leakage of water to the interior of the .float causing same to become waterlogged The upper portion 8 of the still embodies the chamber 3l for the condensation water which is` also the water supply for the still. The bottom ofthe chamber 3l is formed with a series of alternating pockets 32 and domes 33, the former for the condensing water and the latter as condensing chambers for the steam. domes 32 and 33 may be arranged in parallel-` extending transversely across the still section 3, or they may be arranged concentrically either in rectangular or circular formation. ln lieu of either of these forms the alternating pockets and domes may be separately spaced projections or depressions of substantially tubular form. Tn any of these possible formations -the transverse sectional view as disclosed in liig. `1 would be substantially the same, Therefore a separate illustration -of all the possibleforms has not been attempted. ltt may be said, however, that the concentric arrangement, either rectangular or circular is the preferred fgrm. Tn such construction the Thesealternating pockets and.

dome or recess 33 forming the condensingchamber for the steam is continuous around and incloses the central pocket or well 32 ofthe condensing water chamber 3l and is inclosed in turn or surrounded by the exterior pocket 32 adjacentto the walls of the section 8. The domed recess 33 forms a condensation chamber for the steam or vapor generated in the lower section 9. Thev walls of this domed condensation chamber are cooled by the circulation of the supply water through the chamber 3l. Tn order that the condensation water may be circulated to best advantage in the chamber 3l, a series of baffles 34: are provided in said chamber arranged substantially parallel with the side walls ofthe domed condensing chamber33. These batlles 34e may be supported in any suitable way as by brackets or connections 35 attached to said;

walls, whereby the baffles are held in spaced relation and substantially parallel with the walls. The .colder portion of the water will ofcourse. descend to the bottom of the chamber 31 and as it is warmed by Contact with the walls of the condensing chamber or dome 33 will gradually ascend in said chamber.` The baffles 34e do not extend entirely to the bottoms of the pockets or wells 32 but afford an intercommunicating space between the inside and outside of said baflies. The 'water lying immediately adj jacent to the walls of the condensing chamthe intermediate space. There is thus generated acirculatory current within the chamber 31 which insures a constant supply of cool water upon the side walls of the condensing chamber or dome. The steam and vapor generated within the boiler 9 ascending within the dome is condensed upon the interior walls of the dome or condensing chamber 33 and trickling down said walls is collected in gutters 36 and 37 positionedbelow the lower-edges of the dome or recess 33. There is one gutter 36 about the exterior recess or dome wall and a second gutter 37 beneath the interior wall. The gutters or collecting channels 36 discharge into the gutter 37 which extends across the still beneath the central pocket 32 and receives the condensation from .the walls thereof. The distillate collected by the l'gutter 37 from the inner walls of the chamber 33 and also from the gutter 36 is discharged through an outlet 40. InA order that thest-eam and vapor may not be condensed in any material amount before it has entered the condensing chamber or recess 33 there is provided about'the exterior walls of the upper section 3 of the still and below thc bottom of the chamber fl a false bottom 41 inclosing a dead air space 42. This false bottom 4l and inclosed air will be heated to such degree that little or no condensation `will be effected upon this wall. The slight amount of' condensation appearing npoii `t,liis false wall, particularly at the beginning of the distilling operation before the wall 41 and the inclosed body of air within the space 42 has become heated, will be sufficient to insure a supply within the channel 14 to effectively seal the slip joint 10. However, when the apparatus is in full operation the heating of the'false wall 41 will check the condensation thereon and the steam and vapor will pass into the recess 33 before condensing. During the distillation or boiling of the'water in the generator 9,21 certain amount of gases are released which it is desirable should be permitted to escape. For this purpose gas vents 43. are provided in the top of the dome or recess 33 by which such gases may pass to the chamber 31. These vents being comparatively small, the amount of steam or vapor which may also pass through the vents is negligible. The supply of water for the purpose of condensing the steam and vapor and subsequently supplying the initial or settling chamber 1, is admitted to the chamber 31 from any source of supply. An overflow conduit 37 is provided. After being circulated through the chamber 31 and having served its mission as a condensing medium, the water in a warmed condition is discharged from the chamber 31 through the conduit 44 and thence through the conduitsection 6 into the initial cliam ber 1. The conduit 44 and section 6 are preferably telescopically connected one with the other to facilitate the disengagement of the upper section 8 of the still from the generator 9 and initial or settling chamber 1.

To control the fiovv of Water through the chamber 31V there is provided a vertically movable reciprocatory cutoff or gate 45 sliding in suitable guides or ways 46 attached to the inner wall of the chamber 31 and movedy to and fro in relation with the' orifice of the discharge conduit 44 by meansof an adjusting screw 47. rThe adjusting screw 47 is mounted in a suitable supporting bracket or arm 48 secured to the upper portion ofthe still anr1 by its adjustment the gate or' cutoff 45 is shifted to open or close to greater or less degree the orifice of the Qutlet conduit 44. 1n order that the chamber 31 may be emptied for examination and for cleansing a faucet 49 is provided by which the contents inay be drawn off. The faucet 49 coin municates with the exterior pocket or Well 32. Unassisted it would discharge the water from this exterior pocket or well 32, leaving the inner pocket or well filled to remaining fluid is collected about the intakeof said spihon tube preparatory vto discharge therethrough. The outer leg of the siplion tube 5() ofcourse extendssoinewhat below the level of the inner end and discharges into the outer pocket or well 32 from which the water discharged by the siphon is withdrawn through the faucet 49. To prevent To automatically discharge the Iconthe siphon tube 50 from becoming airbound upon the refilling of the chamber 31, a relief vent is provided in the bight of said siphon which v`eiit is controlled by a suitable adjustable stop or closure 52,

From the above description will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described, possessing if' the particular features of advantage'beforc enumerated as desirable but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportion, detail construct-ion or arrangement of parts, without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages. A

While in order to comply vwith the statutes, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to certain vstructural features. it is to be' understood that the invention is not limited/to any specific details, but that the means and construction herein described comprise but one mode of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed broadly in any of its possible forms or modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A still of the type comprising a main shell divided into a generator compartment and a compartment for condensing medium located above the generator, the division wall betweeny said compartments forming the condensing surface for the products of distillation, characterized by a settling chamber outside said main shell, a fluid supply conduit leading from the condensing medium compartment to the settling chamber and an overflow connection from the settling chamber to the generator compartment.

2. A still of thel type comprising a main shell divided into a generator compartment and a compartment for condensing medium located above the generator, the division Wall between said compartments forming the condensing surface for the products of distillation, characterized by a settling chamber outside said main shell, a fluid supply conduit leading lfrom the condensing medium compartment to the settling chamber, a connection from the settling chamber vto the generator compartment, a valve controlling su'ch connection, said valve being controlled by a float influenced by the iuctuations of the contents of the generator compartment.

3. A still of the type comprising a main shell divided into a generator compartment and a compartment for condensing medium,

` partment and the generator.

l. A still of the type comprising a main shell divided into a generator compartment and a compartment for condensing medium located above the generator compartment,h

the division wall between said compartments forming the condensing surface for the products ot distillation, characterized by a conduit Jfor supplying fluid to the generator from the condensing medium compartment, a float actuated valve for said supply conduit, and a perforated inclosure for the float of said valve whereby the valve will be unaffected by the agitation of the contents of the generator.

5. A still of the type comprising a main shell divided into an upper compartment for condensing medium and a lower generator compartment, the division wall between said compartments orming the condensing surface for the products of distillation, characterized by an undulating bottom for said generator compartment, comprising a series of elongated parallel corrugations of less longitudinal extent than the length of the compartment, whereby said bottom undulations terminate in spaced relation with the sides of the `generator compartment.

6. A' still of the type comprising a main shell divided into an upper compartment for condensing medium and a lower generator compartment, the division wall between saidI compartments forming the condensing surface for the products of distillation, characterized by a slipjoint in the main shell within the generator compartc ment, and a lip on the inner side of the wall of the lower section of the main shell into which the lower edge of the upper section of the 'main shell projects, said lip forming a gutter or channel adapted to receive products of distillation in sufficient quantities to water seal said joint.

7. A still of the type comprising a main shell divided into an upper compartment for condensing medium and a lower generator compartment, the division wall between said compartments forming the condensing surface for the products of distillation, characterized by a series of tapered pockets formed in the bottom of the. condensing medium compartment, and a series of battles in said compartment arranged in parallel spaced relation with the walls of said tapered pockets, whereby passages are formed intermediate said bai'lles and the Y walls yof the pockets, said passages being open at their tops and their bottoms.

8. A still of the type comprising a main shell divided into an upper compartment for condensing mediurnand a lower generator compartment, the division wall between said compartments forming the condensing surface for the products of distillation, characterized by 'a series of -tapered pockets formed in the bottom wall of the condensing medium compartment and a siphon discharging from the bottom of one of said pockets into another of said pockets. 9. A still of the type comprising a main shell divided into an upper compartment for condensing medium and a lower generator compartment, the division wall between said compartments forming the condensing surface for the products of distilla-v tion characterized by a preheating compartment, a supply` conduit leading from the condensing medium compartment to the preheating compartment, and a connection between the preheating compartment and the y generator compartment whereby the water supply is conducted through the condensing medium compartment, thence through the preheating compartment and finally to the generator compartment and means for regulating the fluid supply.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of July, A. D. 1917.

CALVIN D. CRANE.

Vitnesses-z i EDW. E. DUNCAN, MARVEL HOAGLAND. 

